Brazos

Brazos Wellness
Page 3
Brazos Wellness Staff
FEATURES
PUBLISHER
Bryan Broadcasting Publications
6
A DECADE OF DIFFERENCE
How Voices For Children - Court
Appointed Special Advocates - have
changed the lives of children in the
past ten years.
by Ashley McCollum
8
EXCEPTIONAL DENTIST,
EXCEPTIONAL DENTISTRY:
Spotlight on Michael K. Reece, DDS
courtesy of The Matthews Group
GENERAL MANAGER
- Second Volume, Second Edition - June 2010
Ben D. Downs
photos courtesy of The Matthews Group
Brazos Wellness
SALES MANAGER
Sam J. Jones
ART DIRECTOR/EDITOR
Heather Moutray
MAGAZINE ADVERTISING SALES
Krista Kizer
ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL
ASSISTANTS
Nick Shepherd Chelsea Wade
10 AN UNCONVENTIONAL
PATH The inspirational story of
17-year-old Martha Teke, a recent
graduate of Texas A&M Health
Science Center College of Nursing.
by Melissa McIlhaney
WEB DEVELOPER
Garrett Crawford
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Alisa Dusterhoff
12 FINDING YOUR REASON
FOR LIFESTYLE CHANGE
by Sharon Johnson
13
8
“DANCING FOR THE HEALTH
OF IT” RAISES OVER $50,000 FOR
HEALTH FOR ALL
ON THE COVER:
Michael K. Reece, DDS
14
GREEN LIVING: Moneysaving, energy-efficient additions for
your Brazos Valley home.
by Jen Zweiacker & Ashley Ralph
photos by VJ Arizpe
Dr. Reece helped give former Bryan resident
Tiffany Thornton, (star of the Disney Channel’s
Sonny With a Chance), her famous smile.
Dr. Michael K. Reece focuses on wholemouth oral health using general, restorative
and cosmetic dentistry to keep his patients
healthy for life.
16
THE TROUBLE WITH
SNORING Answers to your questions
about snoring and how your dentist
(yes, your dentist!) can help you and
your partner sleep better at night, and
feel better in general.
by Craig Scasta, DDS
17
DR. JAMES DOBSON
RETURNS TO THE AIRWAVES
WITH NEW “FAMILY TALK”
18
DEALING WITH ILLNESS
WHILE TRAVELING: A “WHAT-IF”
GUIDE
compiled by Heather Moutray
19
SELECTING THE RIGHT 22
UNTREATED EYE
EYE CARE PHYSICIAN FOR PROBLEMS IN INFANTS ON
THE RISE
YOU by Lisa Januskey, OD
20
DENTAL EMERGENCIES
(AND HOW TO TREAT THEM)
23
HAPPY MEMORIES OR
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDS?
How to help seniors clear clutter.
Read this and our other publications online
at www.bryanbroadcasting.com
Page 4
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Chris Dusterhoff
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Courtesy of The Matthews Group
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Getty Images, VJ Arizpe, Jim Lyle,
Submitted Photos & Graphics
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
The Matthews Group/Dr. Michael Reece DDS
Ashley McCollum, Melissa McIlhaney,
Sharon Johnson, Craig Scasta DDS,
American Dental Association, Jen Zweiacker,
Lisa Janusky OD, The CDC
To submit your press releases or articles
for consideration, email
[email protected]
For advertising information, contact Sam Jones
at 979-695-9595 for your media kit.
Brazos Wellness broadcasts on Newstalk 1620
WTAW Sunday mornings at 7am
No photos or editorial my be used without permission from the
managing editor. BRAZOS WELLNESS is locally owned and operated
by Bryan Broadcasting Corporation.
Printed locally by the Insite Group, Bryan TX
Bryan Broadcasting Publications offers free
subscriptions. For yours, email your mailing
address to [email protected]
Brazos Wellness
Announcing
Adult Clear
Cosmetic Braces
Now YOU can have beautiful, perfectly straight teeth
in only 6 months!
From
Dr. Michael Reece
The innovator in beautiful smiles
Dr. Michael Reece is widely acclaimed as a leader in cosmetic
dentistry. In addition to his thriving practice in Bryan, Texas, Dr. Reece is
in constant demand as a lecturer and is also a staff instructor at the
world famous Las Vegas Institute, LVI, where he teaches dentists from
around the globe advanced cosmetic dentistry.
1615 Barak Lane, Bryan
Brazos Wellness
979.846.6515
drreece.com
Page 5
ARTICLE | Ashley McCollum
PHOTOS | Courtesy of Voices for Children CASA of Brazos Valley
With 405 children served, 311 of them
already placed in safe, permanent homes, Voices
For Children – Court Appointed Special
Advocates of Brazos Valley (CASA) has truly
made a “Decade of Difference” in the lives of
abused and neglected children in Brazos, Burleson and Grimes counties since 2000.
What is a CASA? “Over the past 10 years,
more than 200 community members have volunteered as CASAs, giving their time and energy
to give hope to these children,” said Executive
Director Liana Lowey of Voices For Children’s
CASA volunteers, who serve as guardian ad litem
and advocate for their CASA children throughout the child welfare system (average of 12
months). “CASAs interview the child and service
providers; review copies of all relevant records;
and participate in mediations and staffings in order to ensure the children’s needs are met.”
CASAs limit the amount of time children spend
in foster care by limiting unnecessary placement
changes and providing permanent placement research to ensure the best home for the child.This
includes locating appropriate relatives who can
take custody of the child in lieu of foster care.
Being a CASA is important to me. It’s so rewarding to be able to communicate and work
with the families to help them build a better,
brighter and stronger future together before,
during and after reunification or while moving
toward adoption.
- Faye, CASA volunteer
Page 6
Voices for Children was established in 2000, when
community leaders, the East Texas Cluster Court
and Texas CASA representatives recognized the
dire need for a CASA program in Brazos County.
The first CASA training was held in July 2001, and
at its conclusion, Judge Jim Locke swore in eight
advocates. Since then, Voices For Children’s volunteer base has grown to 73 and service area has
expanded to include Grimes County (in 2006)
and Burleson County (in 2009).
the first group of CASA volunteer trainees in
2001 and now serves as president of Voices For
Children’s Board of Directors. “At the present
time, we are serving 55 percent of the children
in Brazos County, 25 percent of the children in
Grimes County and 10 percent of the children in
Burleson County. The need for more CASAs in
all three counties is critical and vitally important,
as the number of children coming into foster
care each year is steadily increasing.”
The need is so great for CASAs in Brazos, Burleson and Grimes counties that volunteers are appointed to a case by the Cluster Court Judge or
requested by either Child Protective Services or
an Attorney ad litem as soon as they have completed their training.
Over the past year, Brazos County has experienced on average a seven percent (7%) increase
in the number of children in foster care; Burleson County has had an increase of almost five
percent (5%); and Grimes County has seen an
increase of more than fifteen percent (15%).
The Need for Advocates “Our hope for the
Voices For Children: 10 in 2010 campaign is that
it not only increases community awareness about
our services and past accomplishments, but also
inspires community members to volunteer and
help us reach our goal of serving 100 percent
of the children in need of CASAs in our service
area,” said Jacque Flagg, who was a member of
“After studying these numbers and projections
for our area, we’ve targeted aggressive growth of
the CASA program by 40 percent per year, over
the next three years, in order to be able to reach
our goal of providing advocacy to every abused
child in Brazos, Burleson and Grimes Counties by
2013,” said Lowey.
The benefits of CASAs go much further than the criminal justice system,
though. The CASAs themselves find much reward in their advocacy:
Going to see my CASA kids always makes me
smile. They are always ready to hug and kiss. I
love their smiles. - Arlene, CASA volunteer
I love the look on my child’s face when he realizes
someone really does care. -Josh, CASA volunteer
It’s wonderful when my child dreams of becoming a football player or rap singer and actually
realizes that he can accomplish his deams even
though he is in the foster system.
– Kay, CASA volunteer
continued on the next page
I can express my love and compassion by hearing
and voicing a child’s dreams and hopes. When I
explain my role as an advocate for children - my
words of hope and joy can be seen on the faces
of others. I see myself in their faces. When I see
the tears of hope in their eyes or the strength for
them to say - tell me more, I know that I am in
the right place. - Bilaliah, CASA volunteer
Brazos Wellness
In a survey conducted by the University of Texas,
81 percent of judges said they would like to have
a CASA appointed on all of their cases, and 94
percent said a CASA on a case provides a better
opportunity for a positive outcome.
Lowey says the VOICES in Community of VOICES
stands for the ways in which CASAs give a “voice”
to their kids - Volunteer, Organize, Involve others,
Create awareness, Empower youth and Support
change.
In addition to providing court appointed advocacy,
Voices For Children educates community members on child abuse, foster care and adoption.
Community support during Voices For Children’s
10th Anniversary year has been stronger than
ever. More than $60,000 was raised through the
agency’s 7th Annual Art of Helping Children Dinner & Silent Auction and 5th Annual Rob Childress
Golf Tournament this Spring.
Special Training “We also collaborate with
Scotty’s House, Child Protective Services (CPS)
and other agencies to sponsor trainings for CPS
workers, attorney ad litems, CASA volunteers and
local therapists,” Lowey said. “We coordinate with
other agencies to host events surrounding Brazos
Valley Adoption Day and the media to promote
adoption awareness, like our Wednesday’s Child
segment on KBTX and in The Eagle.”
Voices For Children is hosting a series of free,
community awareness receptions in honor of its
10th Anniversary. Community of VOICES receptions and tours are being held monthly at the
Voices For Children office, 115 N. Main Street, in
Bryan.
“The Community of VOICES receptions and
tours are not fundraisers or volunteer recruitment events, but simply a way to celebrate the accomplishments of CASA volunteers and promote
community awareness about our history and vision for the future,” said Lowey.
Brazos Wellness
Raising Awareness for the Cause Community awareness events have included the Heart
Gallery of Central Texas photography exhibit at
Post Oak Mall, which promotes awareness about
youth in foster care in need of adoptive families;
the Pinwheel Project, a project in which 800 pinwheels were planted in a garden on Texas Avenue
by Voices For Children and Scotty’s House to
promote awareness about the 800 child abused
and neglected last year in the Brazos Valley; and a
Candlelight Vigil in Honor of Survivors of Sexual
Assault and Child Abuse, a collaboration between
Voices For Children, Scotty’s House and the Sexual Assault Resource Center in April - Child Abuse
Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Upcoming events include Coaches for Children
this summer and Brazos Valley Adoption Day –
November 19, 2010.
A Candlelight Vigil was held this past April
in honor of those who are survivors of sexual
assault and child abuse, a collaboration
between Voices for Children, Scotty’s House,
and the Sexual Assault Resource Center
Over the past year, Brazos County
has experienced on average a seven
percent (7%) increase in the number
of children in foster care.
The mission of Voices For Children is to advocate
for the best interest of abused and neglected children under the court’s jurisdiction until each is
placed into a safe, nurturing and permanent home,
and to ensure that each child’s needs are addressed and fully met. It is part of a national CASA
initiative that began in 1977 in Seattle, WA, and
now totals more than 900 programs nationwide.
For more information on the CASA program or Community of VOICES receptions, please call 979-8229700, email [email protected] or log on to
www.vfcbrazos.org
Page 7
Exceptional
Dentistry
Exceptional
Dentist
Dr. Michael K. Reece focuses on whole-mouth oral health using general,
restorative and cosmetic dentistry to keep his patients healthy for life.
In every occupation, there are those that stand out and
rise above the rest. In dentistry, one name that continually stands
out, year after year, is Dr. Michael K. Reece. The secrets to his success
are the combination of a great team and a constant commitment to improvement.
For years, Dr. Michael Reece and his team have had unified goals - to be the
best at what they do and to always strive for excellence. These ideas are put
into practice daily.
Each morning, prior to seeing patients, the entire Reece team gathers to review the days’ cases and discuss treatment approaches. The discussions are
robust, the mood light but serious and everybody gives their input. By the
time the first patient arrives, everyone on the team will have been briefed
on each and every appointment for the day.
These meetings, fondly known to the team as ‘huddles,’ also dedicate time to
discussing how to improve the overall patient experience. Patient comfort,
communication, treatment, follow-up, convenience - all of these are considered and discussed. The best ideas are put into
practice immediately. The Reece team is committed to constant improvement which, in turn, leads
to happy, healthy patients with successful treatment
outcomes.
text message, emails, phone calls, or even a combination of the three. All
of the necessary forms are conveniently available on line at drreece.com.
Patients who go to Dr. Reece’s office enjoy the easily accessible location
and convenient parking. Upon entering the office, patients are enveloped
by beautiful interior design that is warm and inviting.
The office manager, Kimm, greets patients by name with her welcoming
voice and beautiful trademark smile. She has also perfected the timing of
patients so that wait times are kept to an absolute minimum. Kimm’s easy
demeanor instantly engages patients and makes them feel welcome and at
ease.
When a patient meets Dr. Reece for the first time, it becomes quickly apparent that he loves what he does and to an even greater degree, loves
working with his patients. This shows in his smile and enthusiasm, and most
of all, it shows in the exceptional quality of his dentistry.
For Dr. Reece, the source of his enthusiasm is patient health. His approach
is to provide long-term oral and dental health to
each of his patients. To achieve this, he takes into
account each patient’s health history. He listens,
evaluates, and then recommends a course of action
that will provide the best outcome for better overall health.
Patients seeing Dr. Reece for the first time are in for
an experience in superior service. Even before the
first visit, patients are assigned a treatment coordinator. This coordinator becomes the single contact
point for all questions from the first call to posttreatment follow-up. Their complete focus is on the
patient’s satisfaction and comfort.
Nothing is left to chance. Friendly reminders about
appointments are sent by the patient’s choice of
Page 8
Dr. Michael Reece and his exceptional team.
Top: Kimberly, Dr. Reece, Connie, Bottom: Nanette and Kimm
Dr. Reece sees each patient as unique and different. His patients’ needs are very important to him.
Listening to them helps him treat his patients in the
best possible way. Each patients needs are unique
and Dr. Reece can help them achieve a healthy bite;
address a lifetime pattern of headaches; create
dental implants to replace missing teeth; or solve
problems common to regular dentures. For other
patients, Dr. Reece gets the opportunity to design
continued on the next page
the smile of their dreams.
Brazos Wellness
4-color printing that will...
LET YOUR BUSINESS
BLOOM
WITH COLOR
Dr. Michael Reece has helped create many famous smiles -- including those of Tiffany Thornton
(star of The Disney Channel’s hit show Sonny With a Chance, and KBTX’s own Meredith Stancik.
Dr. Reece invests the time to listen to what his
patients want and incorporate these wants with
the best techniques and resources available.
His energy level is unmatched, as is his constant
quest to keep abreast of the latest technology
and techniques in dentistry. Dr. Reece’s commitment to patients, and education combined with
the latest techniques and research have earned
him the respect and admiration of an ever-growing list of patients and colleagues.
One of the things few patients know however, is
Dr. Reece is also widely recognized and respected outside of the Bryan-College Station area.
The prestigious Las Vegas Institute (LVI) is considered the pinnacle of advanced dental training.
For several years, Dr. Reece has been sought out
to share his expertise. He teaches dentists from
all across the U.S., who travel to LVI, how to perform advanced techniques. Dr. Reece feels this
combination of teaching and attending advanced
training himself, helps him provide the very best
dentistry possible to patients in the Brazos Valley.
In addition to educating his colleagues, Dr. Reece
has been refining his skills in several key areas.
Complete oral and dental health, adult cosmetic
braces (or Six Month Smiles), cosmetic dentistry,
headache treatment (TMJ) through dentistry, and
advance treatment for denture wearers (providing them with a more permanent ‘locked in’ solution to removable dentures).
When someone asks Dr. Reece about his success with patients, it is interesting that he doesn’t
mention himself. He gives all the credit to his
wonderful, loyal team. Connie, Nanette, Kimm,
and Kimberly complete a team that most dentists would call a “dream team.” Experience, and
the highest quality of care are their priorities
along with their positive attitudes towards patient care.
Long ago, Dr. Reece made a commitment to ensure his team was as well-trained and patientcentered as he was. This commitment has had
a great impact on building relationships with his
patients. People like the stability of his team, and
look forward to visits at his office -- likening it to
visiting good friends.
Brazos Wellness
The field of dentistry is constantly changing and
Dr. Reece isn’t only changing to stay abreast of
those changes, but in many cases, he is leading the
way. He is growing in his reputation as a gifted
speaker at dental symposiums and meetings. He
communicates well with patients and his peers
through Facebook and his blog has given him an
expanded readership that count on Dr. Reece to
keep them informed and current on the subjects
of dental and oral health. Many consider him an
integral part of their health care team and consult with Dr. Reece regularly on how he can help
guide their dental and oral health for optimum
long-term function.
Many recent studies have linked dental health to
overall heart, stress, muscular, and dietary health
that the role of the dentist has expanded greatly.
Dentists now identify and guide patients in many
other areas previously not treated just two years
ago.
This comprehensive approach to health through
dentistry has allowed Dr. Reece’s patients to experience a better quality of life under his care.
Dentistry requires ongoing training to stay on
top. Dr. Reece devotes approximately half of
each month to continuing education, lecturing, research, and teaching to keep his skills and
knowledge optimum for his patients. Many dentists would call him a “dentist’s dentist” in recognition of his drive and devotion to advancing
dentistry.
The best part of Dr. Reece’s practice is that he is
right here in our community and available for all
of us to access.
Indeed, it is a unique culture and a testament
to how dedication to craft and attention to patients has built Michael K. Reece, DDS into the
respected practice it has become. Give them a
try and see if your experience surpasses your
expectation.
123 E. Wm J. Bryan Pkwy.
Bryan, Texas 77803
979.823.5567
800.364.2665 Toll Free
979.823.3894 Fax
www.insitegroup.com
To sample a little of what Dr. Reece’s world is like, try out
his latest passion, blogging, by going to www.drreeceblog.com
or visit his main website at www.drreece.com.
For appointments, call (979) 846-6515
Article and photos courtesy of The Matthews Group.
Page 9
The extraordinary story of 17-year-old
Martha Teke, a recent graduate from the Texas
A&M Health Science Center College of Nursing
BRAZOS WELLNESS FEATURE
article | Melissa McIlhaney
photos | Jim Lyle
Above: Martha Teke receives congratulations from Nancy W. Dickey, M.D., president of the Texas A&M
Health Science Center and vice chancellor for health affairs for The Texas A&M University System.
A
t first glance, Martha Teke appears to be a typical
graduate from the Texas A&M Health Science Center (HSC) College of
Nursing. She has bright eyes full of excitement and sports a huge smile as
she looks to the future and what life has to offer.
As you talk with Martha, you find she is far from typical and, in fact, quite
extraordinary – she’s only 17.
A Gifted Child
Born to immigrants from Cameroon, Africa – Mathias and Martha Teke –
Martha lived in the Dallas area for most of her early childhood. She did
well in school and from first through third grades consistently tested five to
six grade levels above her peers.
“From the day she was born, I knew she was special,” says her mother,
Martha. “I just prayed God would give me the knowledge and strength to
help her along the path He has for her.”
Cameroon, where she attended Saker for almost five years and completed
her high school education.
“In the end, I had faith God would take care of my child and knew Saker
was the place for Martha,” Mrs. Teke said.
College Bound
At 13, Martha returned home a high school graduate. Her parents were
not quite ready to allow Martha to attend a large college or university on
her own, so she completed her first two years of higher education at Collin
County Community College near her home in North Texas.
Martha then moved to College Station to attend the HSC-College of Nursing at 15. For the first time, she was living on her own and found managing
cooking, laundry and other daily tasks even more daunting than her 17-hour
course load.
“For the first few months I was here, my mom came up every two weeks to
make sure I was eating and my laundry was taken care of,” Martha says.
“I have never considered myself more
“It was a good thing she did or I would
have lived on Honey Nut Cheerios!”
special or smarter than anyone else.
The path Martha has been down is
unconventional, but it would be hard
to argue it has led her astray.
Mrs. Teke had always dreamed of
sending her daughter to Saker Baptist College, a faith-based, all-girls, Really, I just study very hard, and I am driven Martha’s friend and fellow nursing
graduate, Savannah Johnston, laughs
secondary boarding school with a roto
be
a
good
steward
of
the
resources
both
easily as she remembers Martha’s
bust curriculum in Cameroon. When
first months.
Martha expressed interest in promotGod and my family have entrusted to me.”
ing to a higher grade level so she
“It took Martha a while to figure out
could be challenged, the family was
faced with a difficult decision: Should they take a leap of faith and send laundry,” Johnston says. “She was once quite upset when it didn’t come
their 9-year-old daughter to Cameroon or forsake their dream of sending out. It was because she used fabric softener instead of laundry detergent!”
her to Saker?
Eventually, Martha got a handle on everyday living and settled into a routine
After prayerful consideration, Mr. and Mrs. Teke decided to send Martha to that involved class, church, lots of studying and membership in the African
continued on the next page
Student Association.
Page 10
Brazos Wellness
Left: Martha with friend and fellow nursing
graduate, Savannah Johnston
Life as a Nursing Student
The first semester of school came easily for
Martha. “It was mostly book learning and
more facts I could easily remember,” she
says.
Center: More than 60 family members and friends attended Martha’s graduation
from the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Nursing.
“Nursing is about people,
not just a bunch of facts.”
During the second semester of nursing school, clinical work begins. Students
spend a considerable amount of time in hospital settings working with patients. They start applying the knowledge they have learned in the classroom.
Martha found this process challenging.
“For the first time, I had to translate everything I had learned into something
I could use to help people,” Martha says. “I had real trouble using all of the
information in my head. It was beyond overwhelming for me.”
The HSC-College of Nursing emphasizes critical thinking throughout its entire curriculum, and during her second semester, Martha was not sure she
would ever get it.
Right: The Teke Family – Martha Teke with her
parents, Mathias and Martha Teke, along with
younger brother, Mathias
Really, I just study very hard, and I am driven to be a good steward of the resources
both God and my family have entrusted to
me.”
Bright Future
Ever the planner, Martha has carefully set goals for herself through 2013.
This summer, she will fulfill a perennial teenage dream by getting her driver’s license. In the fall, she will begin taking prerequisites for medical school
while working as a nurse at St. Joseph Regional Health Center. It is her
dream to attend Harvard Medical School.
“Eventually, I want to be a doctor, but for now, I am very in love with nursing,”
Martha says. “My experience as a nurse can only make me a better physician.”
For more information on the
Texas A&M Health Science
Center College of Nursing,
visit nursing.tamhsc.edu.
“I would go to my clinical site every morning smiling and come home every
night crying,” Martha says. “If it weren’t for Professor (Jack) Moreland, I am
not sure I would have finished the program.”
Moreland, one of Martha’s clinical nursing professors, was impressed with
Martha but also knew she was struggling. One afternoon, they sat down,
and he simply told her, “You can do this.”
“Martha had the skills and also the ability,” Moreland says. “It took a while
for that to manifest in her fingers and enable her to deliver patient care.
Nursing students are thrust into many challenging situations and interact
with patients on a very personal level. It takes confidence and maturity to
analyze and act appropriately in each situation.”
Following that conversation, things turned around for Martha. It was slow going, but by her third semester, she was really enjoying her clinical experiences.
“I finally got it!” she says. “Nursing is about people, not just a bunch of facts.”
Mission Accomplished
Martha did get it, and she proudly walked the stage on May 21 to claim her
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree as a graduate with honors.
Joining her in the celebration were more than 60 members of her “family.”
“In the African tradition, it takes a village to raise a child,” Mrs. Teke explains. “Everyone in attendance played a critical role in getting Martha to
where she is today. I am so grateful God placed the right people in her
path, enabling her to achieve her goals by offering her emotional balance
and by quietly cultivating the attributes of discipline and service to others
already innate in Martha.”
When asked what makes her special, Martha is very quick to respond: “I
have never considered myself more special or smarter than anyone else.
Brazos Wellness
Page 11
Ask the Wellness
EXPERT
Long-term weight loss is a choice -- not a diet
Studio Fit’s Sharon Johnson talks about deciding to change your lifestyle and habits -- to be the person you want to be.
As I prepared to write this article, my initial goal was to give advice and tips on how to grocery shop for healthy foods - how to
read labels and find the best choices among the vast array of food
products on grocery store shelves. As I was writing, it occurred to
me - there is so much information available about healthy foods
and what to eat and what not to eat, do I really need to write another column on the subject? I devote my life’s work to coaching
and helping people learn healthier habits and take better care of
their bodies. However, the one thing I’ve recently come to realize
is that changing to a healthier lifestyle has less to do with the foods we eat and
the exercises in which we participate, but everything to do with our mind set
and the reasons for wanting to make these changes in our lives.
The steps people begin to take as they start on a healthier path seem easy
enough—make better food choices, drink more water, and exercise each day.
Simple? Yes. Easy? No. These are the things I talk endlessly about with my
clients. In order for a person to make any lasting long-term change, they must
dig deep and figure out the “why” of wanting to take these steps. A person
must ask themselves, “Why do I want to do each of these things? What’s my
purpose for wanting to be healthy?” Once they are able to define that purpose,
nothing will deter them from reaching their goal.
So many times, a person has a desire to get healthy, lose weight, whatever the
case may be, but doesn’t have that deep and definite purpose for embarking
on the journey. Sure, they may want to fit into a new dress or look good at an
upcoming event. However, time and time again, they will end up back in old
habits, stuck in that same cycle that they were trying to get out of to start with.
This is because vanity alone is not a powerful enough reason to change. The
desire is still there (that never goes away), but the problem is that they have not
dug deep enough to figure out a purpose and doesn’t believe they can make
changes for the better. It’s easy to revert back to what’s
comfortable, and this cycle can be endless. However, once
a person gets the vision for where they want to go and can
actually themselves getting there, they will have everything
necessary to reach the finish line. The mind is incredibly
powerful—if a person thinks they can’t accomplish something—they’ll prove themselves right.
A purpose that is undefined, a reason that isn’t clear—will
keep a person from making lasting changes. As soon as there is any discomfort
or feeling of deprivation, they’ll be right back to the old habits. The funny
thing is that they know the old way doesn’t work. The old way got them to the
spot where they are today. And where they are today is not where they want
to be, right?
The person who is devoted to the reason “why” they want to change and be
healthier will make the change a priority. Vacations won’t get in the way, weekend activities won’t get in the way, and friends and family won’t get in the way.
This person is determined and mindful of the reasons to feel better and live
a better life. What people are willing to tolerate will not change. In order to
live a healthier life and develop better habits, people must make a concerted
effort to create better habits and incorporate them in their lives. This comes by
planning ahead and knowing where they are going to end up. Most important
of all, is seeing themselves at the finish line.
For more information on starting your lifestyle change, visit www.studiofitbcs.com. Sharon Johnson, ACE - CPT is a certified personal trainer
and nutrition expert who can help you start your journey of life-long
weight loss. She is the owner of StudioFit in College Station.
Feel this good again . . .
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Page 12
979-696-0202 • www.studiofitbcs.com
your time is now!
Brazos Wellness
Local Health
NEWS
“Dancing for the Health of It” raises over $50,000
benefiting Health for All
21 local celebrity dance teams competed to raise over $50,000 to help Health For All
On Friday, April 30th, Health For All hosted the inaugural “DANCING FOR
THE HEALTH OF IT!” event at the Brazos County Expo Center.
Health For All’s first celebrity dance competition included 21 celebrity dance
teams that competed for bragging rights and, in the process, raised over $50,000
to help provide basic health care for uninsured and low-income residents of the
Brazos Valley. Among those competing, a few were given special awards:
Clay & Stacy Riebe – Health For All Champion (for most money raised)
Eddie Coulson & Lauren Osborne – Best Technique
Ron & Katie Fox – Most Entertaining
Donnis Baggett & Beverly Brown – Best Costume
Other participating dance teams included:
David & Catherine Childers; Allison & Jordan Meserole; Eddie
Coulson & Lauren Osborne; Nkrumah Dixon & Danny Ballard;
Shawn & Nicole Ponzio; Jeff & Amanda Mann; Celia GoodeHaddock & Bill Haddock; Gene & Kathy Joyce; Todd & Sally
Matthews; Stephen & Allyson Wright; Shane McAuliffe & Meredith Stancik; Jerrod Johnson & Christen Haney; Mary & David
Brazos Wellness
Stasny; David and Julia Gardner;
Clayton & Jana Rhoades; Cal &
Beth McNeill; Barry & Angie Solcher; and Saysha Kovacevich &
Marty Cangelose.
The judges who participated were Mike Cargill, Janna Joerns, and K. O. &
Dee (from Mix 104.7FM). The Master of Ceremonies was Rick Hill.
Health For All is a nonprofit clinic in Bryan that serves thousands of low
income, medically uninsured patients every year. Our clinic provides free
doctor visits, pharmaceuticals, lab tests, X-rays, education and counseling to
low income residents of the Brazos Valley who do not have health insurance
and do not qualify for government programs such as Medicaid, Medicare or
county indigent funds. By providing an alternative to expensive emergency
room visits by the uninsured, Health for All saves area hospitals and taxpayers over $116,000 per week (more than $6,000,000 per year).
For more information about Health For All, call Derek Dictson at 979-575-4496 or
e-mail at [email protected].
Page 13
Energy Efficient Living in the Brazos Valley
Healthy living and energy-efficient home
products can work together to help you live
“greener” (and save some green).
article | Jen Zweiacker, REALTOR at Keller Williams Brazos Valley
photos | VJ Arizpe
The phrases “green living” and “energy-efficient home” often
bring to mind outrageous and somewhat unattractive images such as a
home out in the desert built with recycled tires; flanked by wind turbines
and reflective solar panels angled up toward the sun. Dr. Leonardo Lombardini, an Assistant Professor in Horticultural Sciences & Dr. Sonia Garcia, Director of Recruitment in the Department of Geosciences at Texas
A&M University demonstrated for us this week that “green” living in the
Brazos Valley is anything but unattractive.
The Lombardini-Garcia home is nestled on a quiet street in South College Station. Passersby may stop to admire the attractive architecture
of their stunning home. However, it is unlikely that anyone with an untrained eye would realize that the home is a shining example of green
living here in the Brazos Valley.
Those who think wind turbines and large solar panels are necessary
to create a greener home may be surprised to find all of the small (and
relatively inexpensive) green features of this home that lead to reduced
energy costs and environmental wellness. Simply utilizing rainfall and
sunlight can help save you a bundle and help out the environment. The
Lombardini-Garcia home utilizes solar tube lighting, fluorescent bulbs,
dual-flush toilets, rain water collection, and a solar water heater. Each of
these items can be easily installed in your home and help cut back the
usage of both electricity and water.
RainwateR ColleCtion
A 2,000 square-foot home can harvest about 1,000 gallons of water
Page 14
from only 1 inch of rain. In
order to fully utilize this precious resource, you must have
a container large enough to
store the runoff water and
keep the container sealed
to prevent evaporation and
contamination. Gutters empty
the fresh rain water into a rain
Gutters empty fresh rain water into a rain
barrel or cistern, which can be
barrel or cistern. Water then can be tapped
tapped for hand watering of
for landscaping an hand watering.
landscaping. More advanced
systems (and larger cisterns) can even be connected to a sprinkler system to automatically water your lawn. Of course, this only lasts as long
as rainwater is available to keep the collection container full. Simple
plastic water containers cost as little as $30 and are a great way to start
saving money on your water bill. More advanced cisterns and rainwater
collection systems help reduce contaminates and allow the water to be
stored for longer periods of time by reducing bacterial breeding.
Dual Flush toilets
Conserve water and cash with easy-to-install dual flush toilets which
can be found for under $300. According to the EPA, “if you replace older,
existing toilets with WaterSense labeled models, you can save 4,000
gallons per year with this simpler, greener choice.” Using dual flush
toilets conserves an additional 40% of daily water usage (10 flushes a
day, 8 partial, 2 full flushes).
continued on the next page
Brazos Wellness
solaR hot wateR heateRs
Use solar panels to utilize the
sun’s natural radiant heat.
Water is heated by solar panels which use thermal energy
to heat water for your home.
There are many kinds of solar
water heaters and most are
used in conjunction with a
traditional or tankless water
heater. While tankless water
heaters help save on costs,
solar heating takes conservation to another level and in
conjunction with a tankless
heater can significantly lower your monthly energy bill.
Heating water accounts for
a large portion of the electrical bill, so this is a great way
to see financial return while
making a environmentally
friendly choice.
is correctly oriented to
prevent overexposure
to sunlight through the
windows.
• Quality insulation
can help keep your
home cool in the summer and warm in the
winter.
Select soy
based insulation instead of petroleum
based foam insulation
to utilize renewable resources.
• Fluorescent lighting is a simple way to
reduce lighting costs.
Solar panels use the sun’s natural heat to
produce thermal energy for your home.
Fluorescent lights last
Thermal powered water heaters will help
longer and use up
significantly lower your monthly energy bill.
70% less energy.
solaR tuBe liGhtinG
• Photovoltaic technology converts solar energy to usable electrical energy but it is not the
most efficient electrical energy source.
A great alternative to skylights, solar tube
lighting increases natural light and reduces
the amount of artificial light needed to illumi- • Wind turbines, although more costly, are
nate your living spaces. The rooftop domes more efficient than solar energy and are a
range from 1-2’ in diameter and capture sun- great way to dramatically reduce electrical
light. The rubes reject overpowering midday costs.
light that can overheat your home and redirect
low-angle light to provide consistent lighting • Smartsense water products are not limited
to toilets, you can also
throughout the day. Reflecreduce water usage
tive materials inside the
in faucets and shower
tube help to bend the light
heads.
from low angles and create
functional interior lighting.
• Radiant barrier winThe lens adjusts the light
dows can help keep
and brightens the room
your home cooler while
while diffusing the light to
bringing in the natural
provide quality natural sunlight.
light which has been shown
to promote both physical
ReBates
and mental well-being. The
Incentives for creating
initial cost is relatively low
a greener home do not
(they average about $300stop at environmental
$350 per light) and each
wellness. The city procan be installed by a provides monetary incenfessional within a couple of
tives and reimbursehours. The small size and
ments to encourage
easy installation make them
the use of water and
usable in even the smallest areas such as pantries, Solar Tube lighting increases natural light electricity-saving devicclosets, and restrooms. So- and reduces the amount of artificial light es. You can learn more
needed to illuminate your living spaces.
about the reimburselar tube lighting quickly pays
ment programs at www.
for itself by almost entirely
cstx.gov or www.btutilities.com and start savcutting the daytime use of interior lighting.
ing money on your monthly utility bill.
There are many ways to help create an energy
efficient home, so you may also want to conJen Zweiacker and Ashley Ralph are REALTORS on
sider:
• House orientation is something to think
about when building or purchasing a new home
and it costs absolutely nothing! Keep electricity costs low by making certain that your home
Brazos Wellness
the Zweiacker & Associates team at Keller Williams in
College Station. Jen and her husband Greg, head up the
Z&A team. For more information about green living or
questions about real estate, visit www.zarealestate.com
or call them at (979) 693-9100.
Local Wellness
NEWS
Book Delivery
for Home-Bound Seniors
Brazos Valley RSVP and the Clara B.
Mounce Library in Bryan are sponsoring a
new program to deliver books to homebound senior citizens.
Registration is under way for “Books to
Go,” and the first deliveries were made on
April 27. Deliveries occur every two weeks.
Participants can renew books by phone if
they want to keep them longer than two
weeks.
Call (979) 209-5611 to request registration
materials to be sent to
your home.
Volunteers
also
are
needed to deliver books
on Tuesdays. To volunteer, call RSVP at (979)
595-2800 ext. 2026.
College Station Residents!
Register online at www.cstx.gov
for Curbside Recycling
Looking for an easy way
to start going Green?
Start with your trash!
Residents in College
Station are offered
convenient curbside
recycling pickup!
Visit www.cstx.gov to
sign up for the program,
to request more bags, and
for more information.
Drop off Recycling
City of Bryan offers easy drop-off
location for recyclables.
Bryan Drive-In Recycling Center
is located in the parking lot of
the Bryan Wal-Mart at 2202
Briarcrest Drive.
For more information on what items are
acceptable, visit the city programs at
BeGreenInBryan.com or cstx.gov/recycle.
Page 15
Snoring can be a symptom of a bigger health problem than just a partner’s loss of sleep.
Dr. Craig Scasta, DDS answers your questions about snoring and how your dentist (yes, your dentist!)
can help you and your partner sleep better at night, and feel better in the morning.
When should I be concerned
about snoring?
Snoring is the sound of partially obstructed
breathing during sleep. While snoring can be
harmless, it can also be a sign of a more serious
medical condition known as OSA (obstructive
sleep apnea), which occurs when the tongue and
soft tissues fall back into the throat during sleep,
blocking the airway.
People suffering from OSA stop breathing for 10
to 30 seconds, sometimes for one minute or longer, hundreds of times a night. Untreated OSA
can contribute to excessive daytime sleepiness
as well as an increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, depression,
memory and concentration problems, obesity
and driving accidents.
What are the signs &
symptoms of sleep apnea?
The most common signs of sleep apnea are:
• Loud snoring
• Choking or gasping during sleep
• Fighting sleepiness during the day (this occurs
even at work or while driving)
Other signs of sleep apnea may include:
• Morning headaches
• Memory or learning problems
• Feeling irritable
• Not being able to concentrate on your work
• Mood swings, personality changes, depression
• Dry throat upon awakening
• Frequent urination at night
ARTICLE | Craig Scasta, DDS
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Some of the findings that help physicians and
dentists assess the risk for sleep apnea include:
• A medical history that includes asking you
and your family questions about how you sleep
and how you function during the day
• Checking your mouth, nose, and throat
for extra or large tissues, for example tonsils,
uvula (the tissue that hangs from the middle of
the back of the mouth), and soft palate (roof of
your mouth in the back of your throat)
• A sleep recording (polysomnogram) of your
breathing while you sleep
• A dental evaluation of the sizes of the dental
arches and of the tongue, and whether there is adequate
volume within the dental space for the tongue.
continued on the next page
What causes sleep apnea?
When people are awake (and normally during
sleep), the throat muscles keep the throat open
and air flows into the lungs. However, with OSA
(obstructive sleep apnea), the throat briefly collapses, causing pauses in breathing.
This happens when:
• The throat muscles and tongue relax more
than is normal
• Tonsils and adenoids are large
• Extra soft tissue in the throat makes it harder
to keep the throat area open in people who are
overweight or obese
• The shape of the head and neck (bony structure) results in somewhat smaller airway size in
the mouth and throat area
Page 16
Habitual snoring affects an estimated
24% of adult women and 40%
of adult men.
Approximately ½ of people who snore
loudly have OSA (obstructive sleep apnea).
An estimated 18 million Americans
suffer from OSA.
80-90% of these people remain
undiagnosed and untreated which
can increase risk of high blood pressure,
heart disease, stroke, depression,
diabetes, obesity, and TMJ.
25-50% of sleep apnea patients
cannot tolerate or comply with a CPAP
(Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) mask.
Brazos Wellness
Even after a thorough evaluation by the dentist
and the physician, a definitive diagnosis of OSA
can only be accomplished by a sleep test called a
polysomnogram. This test is generally performed
while the patient spends the night in a sleep lab.
The information recorded on a polysomnogram
follows: brain activity; eye movement; muscle
activity; breathing and heart rate; how much air
moves in and out of the lungs during sleep; and
the percent of oxygen in the blood.
How is Sleep Apnea Treated?
WHY Is a Dentist Involved?
Once a patient has been diagnosed at a sleep center, obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP),
oral appliances, surgery, behavior therapy, or by a
combination of these approaches.
According to the American Academy of Sleep
Medicine, twenty-five to fifty percent of sleep
apnea patients cannot tolerate or comply with
CPAP. Oral appliances are especially effective for
those patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. The
improved compliance rates provided by dental
appliances make the dentist an integral member
of the sleep medicine team.
What is
therapy?
oral
appliance
Oral appliance therapy involves the selection, design, fitting, and follow-up care of a specially designed oral appliance (similar to a mouthguard).
Brazos Wellness
This appliance is worn during sleep and maintains
an opened and unobstructed airway in the throat.
Dental management of patients with oral appliances should be overseen by practitioners who
have undertaken special training in sleep medicine and/or sleep-related breathing disorders.
training in sleep medicine can help recognize the
signs of sleep disorders in patients who present with TMJ pain complaints. This enables the
dentist to treat the underlying problem and offer
more relief for the patient’s pain.
What Dental Conditions are
affected by Sleep Apnea?
Dr. Craig Scasta practices dentistry
in Bryan, Texas. He is an active
member of the American Academy
of Dental Sleep Medicine, and recently completed a Dental Sleep
Medicine Mini-Residency at the
U.C.L.A. School of Dentistry in Los
Angeles, California. This program
provided comprehensive and serious training in sleep medicine in accordance with guidelines
set by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Sleep studies have shown that during obstructive apnea episodes, the brain shows signs of increased activity known as arousals. These central
nervous system arousals often lead to increased
respiratory effort in an attempt to breathe. This
causes a heightened tone of the sympathetic nervous system (the fight or flight response). The
up regulation of the nervous system causes repeated contraction of the jaw muscles during the
night. This causes jaw clenching, which in turn
loads the TM joints. The clenching occurs during
the day as well, and eventually loads the joints beyond their adaptive capacity. Dentists who have
studied sleep medicine now know that this is a
major contributor to TMJ (jaw joint) pain.
The above mentioned arousals also can lead to
fragmented sleep. Patients do not obtain deep
sleep, resulting in poor sleep quality. Orofacial
pain clinics have documented that poor sleep
lowers the body’s healing capacity and increases
the perception of pain. Sleep disorders compound the pain symptoms seen in many jaw, head
and neck pain patients. Dentists with special
Dr. Scasta has completed over one thousand hours of extensive training in the areas of TMJ disorders, functional jaw
orthopedics, and dental sleep medicine.
Dr. Scasta is active member of the Brazos Valley Dental Society and served as President of the society in 2008. He
currently serves as President of the Brazos Valley Academy
of General Dentistry. He is a Fellow in the Academy of
General Dentistry.
He is Texas A&M Class of ’92. He has been married to his
wife,Tracey, for fifteen years, and they have two children.
Page 17
article | courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Page 18
Brazos Wellness
Ask the Wellness
Selecting the Eye Care Physician that’s Right for You
EXPERT
Is this one better, or is this one better -- choosing the right physician is crucial to your vision and eye health.
A child returns home from school with a letter from the school nurse stating
that he has failed his vision screening. A construction worker has a piece of
metal fly into his eye, and now his eye is red, painful, and won’t open. A visitor from out-of-town happens to rip his only contact lens, and doesn’t have
a pair of glasses. What do these three people have in common? That’s
right – each person needs to visit an eye doctor. But how do you choose the
right eye doctor?
OPTOMETRIST VS. OPHTHALMOLOGIST
The first decision you need to make is whether to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Optometrists attend four years of optometry school after receiving their undergraduate degree. During optometry school, they complete doctorate-level coursework in the eye, vision, and associated systemic diseases
and complete clinical rotations in primary care, ocular disease, cornea and
contacts lens, pediatrics/vision therapy, low vision, and neuro-ophthalmology,
earning them the designation of Doctor of Optometry. Ophthalmologists go to
medical school after completing their undergraduate degree, then complete
a one year internship with an ophthalmologist, and then complete a three
year residency program. Both are doctors, and both can examine, diagnose,
and treat conditions related the eye and visual system. The main difference
is that ophthalmologists are licensed to perform major surgical procedures
like cataract surgery or LASIK, but optometrists are not. Another difference is
that many ophthalmologists delegate the refraction (the determination of the
glasses prescription) to a certified technician lacks the undergraduate level
education, whereas many optometrists will perform the refraction themselves.
However, this depends upon the particular practice. Ultimately, whether you
choose an optometrist or ophthalmologist is up to you.
INSURANCE
Another factor to consider is whether or not the eye doctor is on your insurance
panel. Just because a doctor is not on your insurance panel does not mean
that s/he isn’t a good doctor. It simply means that s/he has chosen not to provide services at your insurance’s discounted rate. Choosing a doctor on your
panel has the potential to save you a lot of money. However, it should not be
the only factor that you consider.
You also want to find out how and when the doctor schedules patients. For
example, is a patient seen every fifteen minutes? If so, the doctor is more
likely to spend less face time with each patient. This means less time for you
and the doctor to discuss your concerns, conditions, and treatment options.
However, this may be ideal for patients who have busy schedules and require
shorter appointments. Is the doctor accessible? What are the office hours? Is
Precision Eye Care
the doctor available evenings or weekends? Do you have to schedule weeks in
advance? If you have a medical concern, will the doctor work you in even if s/
he’s already booked? These are all questions you should ask.
CONTACT LENS AND GLASSES
Contact lens wearers should find out what’s involved in the contact lens fitting.
For example, if you have a contact lens exam, will you also be given a prescription for glasses or does the doctor require a separate exam? Does the doctor
actually have you try on a trial lens, or does s/he write the contact lens fitting
without evaluating it on your eye? Does the doctor require that you return for
a contact lens follow up before releasing the contact lens prescription, or is
the prescription released on the same day as the exam? While some people
prefer the convenience of a same-day prescription, other people like trying out
the lens for one week because they may discover that the lens they thought
was comfortable in the office dries out to quickly or is uncomfortable to wear.
This is especially important because most contact lens retailers will not allow
patients to return a box of contacts once they’ve been opened.
LICENSING AND REPUTATION
You should verify that the doctor has an active license and find out if any disciplinary action has been taken against the eye doctor. To check the license and
disciplinary status of an optometrist, visit the Texas Optometry board website
at http://www.tob.state.tx.us. Likewise, to check an ophthalmologist, visit the
Texas Medical Board website at http://www.tmb.state.tx.us.
REFERRALS
Ask friends or family who they see and about their experiences. Specifically,
ask them to rate the staff’s friendliness and helpfulness, the doctor’s bedside manner, the thoroughness of the exam, the overall professionalism of
the office, and selection in the optical. All of these things contribute to overall
experience and are difficult to ascertain unless you know someone who has
already been there.
Take the time to research your eye doctor. This isn’t a one-stop purchase to be
taken lightly. This is a situation where you are building a long-term relationship with the individual to whom you are entrusting the
care of one of your most important assets – your eyes.
Lisa Januskey, OD is the owner and practitioner of Precision Eye
Care in College Station. For more information, contact her at
(979) 985-5305 or visit www.bcseyes.com.
3975 State Hwy 6 S. Ste. 900
College Station, TX 77845
www.bcseyes.com
Tues-Fri: 10am-7pm
Sat: 9am-4pm
Closed 1pm-2pm for lunch
Dr. Lisa Januskey, O.D.
Call (979) 985-5305 to schedule your yearly exam!
•
•
•
•
•
•
Brazos Wellness
Infant through Geriatric Eye Exams
Ocular Disease Treatment
Contact Lenses
Designer Eyewear
Vision Therapy
We accept most Insurances
Including Scott & White
Let us
Focus
Page 19
D
ental
emergencies
(And how to treat them)
BRAZOS WELLNESS FEATURE
article | American Dental Association
photos | Getty Images
Pain is one of the main reasons people call their dentist. A
painful tooth can be triggered by hot or cold foods and drinks. Heavy
biting or grinding may break a tooth and cause it to hurt when you chew.
Sometimes, when a filling falls out, you may have a throbbing ache. Sports
injuries can knock a tooth out completely.
saliva, saline solution (the medical term for salt water) or water. Do not
rub the tooth to clean it. Press the tooth firmly into the socket. Ask the
patient to hold the tooth in place. Don’t worry about lining it up perfectly.
Even a front tooth that is reimplanted backwards can be fixed later with
a crown.
Today, dentists have many options for dealing with dental emergencies.
There are advances in pain management and ways to restore teeth. Teeth
can be repaired with synthetic materials that are strong and look as good
as your natural teeth. Your dentist has the training and skills to identify
what the problem is and how serious it is. He or she almost always can
reduce or eliminate your pain within a few minutes.
Children with a knocked out baby tooth, should see a dentist right away,
but in most cases the dentist will not reinsert the tooth.
Swelling within the Mouth
NON EMERGENCY - MAKE APPOINTMENT WITH DENTIST
Swelling is potentially the most serious dental emergencies. Swelling within
the mouth (intra-orally) is usually due to infection. However, cancer, cysts,
injuries, and blocked salivary ducts can also cause swelling. Treatment of
intra-oral swelling can wait for a day or two unless the patient has a fever,
trouble swallowing or trouble breathing. If any of these conditions exist,
and you cannot see your dentist immediately, go to a hospital emergency
room as soon as possible.
Knocked Out Tooth (Adult & Child)
EMERGENCY - SEE DENTIST NOW
The accidental loss of an adult tooth or
avulsion requires immediate treatment.
That tooth must be put back into its
socket as quickly as possible. Teeth that
are reimplanted within 30 minutes have
a high rate of recovery. After 30 minutes,
the success of re-implantation falls off
dramatically.
Many dentists recommend that lay people
on the scene of the accident attempt to
reimplant the tooth to save time. Rinse
the tooth gently with milk, the patient’s
Page 20
Teeth that are forced out of position, but not knocked out also need to
be attended to quickly. Dentists will try to numb the area and press the
tooth back into its original position. The repositioned tooth may become
discolored or develop a root canal infection, but repositioned teeth usually
have a good prognosis.
Falling out of Filings, Crowns & Bridges
NON EMERGENCY - MAKE APPOINTMENT WITH DENTIST
Fillings, crowns and bridges fall out for various reasons. Cement can
wash out. Part of the tooth might break. There may be tooth decay. These
problems may be a nuisance, unaesthetic, uncomfortable, bad tasting, and
even odiferous. However, loose crowns, bridges and fillings do not require
immediate treatment. Call your dentist, explain the problem and make
an appointment for a time that is convenient for you both. If there is an
uncomfortable hole or sharp area, you can fill or cover it temporarily with
sugar free chewing gum.
Tooth Saver Techniques
What to do with an
adult tooth that’s been
knocked out by injury.
1. Find the tooth and any
broken pieces.
2. Hold the tooth by the
crown (chewing surface), not
the root and rinse the roots
of any debris with water.
3. Try to put the tooth back
into the socket right away
and hold it there.
3. If the tooth cannot be put
back, put the tooth in a small
baggie or cup with cold milk,
NOT tap water!
4. Call the dentist right away
for help -- and don’t forget
the tooth!
Brazos Wellness
continued from page 8
Broken Tooth (Adult or Child)
NON EMERGENCY - MAKE APPOINTMENT WITH DENTIST
A broken adult or baby tooth usually does not require emergency treatment.
Teeth are formed in three layers.The inside of the tooth is the pulp.The pulp
is composed of nerves, blood vessels. If this layer is penetrated when the
tooth breaks, then the tooth will need root canal treatment.The middle layer
is the dentin. Dentin can be sensitive, but a break through dentin need not
be treated right away. Chips and broken pieces of enamel, the outermost
tooth layer, are sometimes left untreated. For a broken tooth, call the dentist
for a convenient appointment. Cover the tooth with soft, sugar free gum if it
is uncomfortable.
Broken Denture OR Broken Braces
NON EMERGENCY - MAKE APPOINTMENT WITH DENTIST
While a broken denture or braces are not an emergency, it can be a serious
cosmetic and functional problem. Sometimes, broken dentures can be
repaired while you wait. That depends on what broke, what caused the break
and what the denture is made of. The wearer must take the denture to a
dentist. The dentist will examine the condition of the patient’s denture, teeth
and gums to try to determine why the denture broke. Then, the fit of the
denture is checked. If the denture no longer fits well, the denture could break
again or cause other problems.
With braces; brackets, bands or wires sometimes become loose, break or fall
off. Usually this is caused by chewing hard or sticky foods, putting unreasonable
pressure on the appliances. More often, one of the parts will come loose or
pop off. This can cause some discomfort but isn’t an emergency. Call your
orthodontist for an appointment to repair the braces.
Soft Tissue Damage (Lip, Tongue, Gums, & Cheeks)
EMERGENCY - GO TO THE ER
The soft tissues in the mouth are delicate, sensitive and easily hurt. They also
Brazos Wellness
contain a lot of nerves. When they are
hurt, it can be very painful. Soft-tissue
injuries usually bleed quite a lot because
the tissues in the mouth contain many
very small blood vessels. Because there
is a lot of blood involved, the injury can
often seem worse than it is. However,
the bleeding usually stops within a few
minutes. If it does not stop within 10
minutes with applied pressure, visit the
ER, stitches may be needed.
Prevention
A mouthguard like the one shown
above can help prevent tooth
injuries during sports, and prevent
tooth grinding during sleep.
There are a number of simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and
injury to your teeth. One way to reduce
the chances of damage to your teeth, lips, cheek and tongue is to wear a
mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities that may
pose a risk. Another preventative measure is to avoid chewing ice, popcorn
kernels and hard candy -- all of which can crack a tooth. Cut tape using scissors rather than your teeth.
Accidents do happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean
the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Any injury to teeth or gums
should not be ignored. Nerves or blood vessels could be damaged. There is
also a risk of getting an infection. If an infection is not treated it can spread to
other parts of the head and neck and cause serious health problems. In rare
cases it can even become life threatening. It is very important to always seek
treatment for a dental injury. Getting injured teeth repaired and treated as
soon as possible after an injury is the best thing to do.
Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients.
Call your dentist and pediatric dentist (for children) to see what their procedures are for emergencies or after-hours treatment.
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National Health
NEWS
New AOA Report Reveals High Number of Infants
with Untreated Eye and Vision Problems
Data shows one-in-six affected overall; higher rates among minority and underprivileged
A new report released by the American Optometric Association (AOA) identifies surprising new insights into the vision and eye health of infants across the
U.S. The findings from last year’s InfantSEE® Weeks pilot program, a year-long,
federally-funded public health initiative, revealed a higher-than-expected number of infants with undiagnosed and untreated vision and eye health problems.
During the 2009 InfantSEE® Weeks, more than 1,000 comprehensive eye
and vision assessments were conducted in eight states. Data from the assessments showed that one-in-six infants exhibited an overall cause for concern
requiring follow-up care from an eye care professional.
The data also revealed one-in-four premature or minority infants displayed
higher rates of cause for concern than other infants assessed during the pilot
project. Additionally, one-in-four infants had a cause for concern in households with annual incomes below $25,000, and one-in-three infants had a
cause for concern in households with incomes less than $15,000.
InfantSEE® provides a one-time, comprehensive eye assessment to infants
in their first year of life, typically between the ages of six and 12 months.
These assessments are provided at no cost to all families, regardless of ability to pay or access to insurance coverage.
Because healthy eyes and vision are critical to normal development in infants and children, the AOA established the nationwide InfantSEE® program in 2005 to provide comprehensive eye and vision assessments to babies. Participating doctors of optometry, who assessed infants’ vision during
the program’s first four years, observed rates of cause for concern to be
between one-in-fourteen and one-in-nine.
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Those troubling rates highlighted the need for federal funding to educate
more parents and caregivers and increase access to infant eye assessments.
Federal recognition and funding was secured in 2008 and the InfantSEE®
Weeks pilot program was launched in January of 2009.
“During the past five years, the InfantSEE® program has provided considerable insight into the overall visual health of infants in this country,” said
AOA president Dr. Randolph E. Brooks. “If not properly diagnosed and
treated early, a number of eye and vision conditions can impair an infant’s
ability to reach important developmental milestones, create lifelong learning and social problems and threaten sight.”
Many eye and vision conditions diagnosed during the 2009 InfantSEE® Weeks
were those for which early treatment is both very effective and critical for normal development, including farsightedness, nearsightedness, amblyopia (lazy
eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes). In addition, two infants assessed were diagnosed with retinoblastoma - the seventh most common pediatric cancer.
InfantSEE® assessments complement a pediatrician’s routine well-care
visit. However, comprehensive eye and vision assessments like those given
through InfantSEE® are more thorough than typical childhood vision
screenings, utilizing specialized instruments and procedures, which are not
available to routine early childhood vision screening programs.
The AOA recommends that infants have an InfantSEE® assessment before
their first birthday and young children have comprehensive eye exams at
age three, before starting school and then every two years thereafter.
For informtion and to find a local InfantSEE® provider, visit www.infantsee.org.
Brazos Wellness
Brazos Wellness
EXPERTS
Happy Memories or Household Hazards?
How family members can help seniors clear potentially dangerous clutter from their homes
Local senior care experts are encouraging families to take the opportunity to
help aging loved ones clear potentially dangerous clutter from their homes.
“A lifetime accumulation of possessions combined with an influx of daily
junk mail, bills, newspapers and magazines can quickly overwhelm seniors
who are struggling physically, mentally or emotionally,” said David Gest,
owner of the local Home Instead Senior Care franchise office serving the
Bryan/College Station area.
in a senior’s home that indicate
clutter creep could become a
problem including piles of mail
and unpaid bills, difficulty walking safely through a home and
frustration on the part of a senior
trying to organize.
Experts say even seniors who simply don’t know how to part with their possessions are vulnerable. The risks are many from slipping on loose papers to
the threat of fire to the health effects of mold and mildew. Clutter can also
interfere with family relationships and leave adult children wondering if the
only inheritance awaiting them is a big mess.
“Family caregivers can become just as overwhelmed as seniors,” said Home
Instead Senior Care’s Gest. “We suggest a three-step plan where the family
caregiver brings three bins -- one for the stuff the senior wants to keep, one
for donations and the other for trash. Sometimes seniors just need a little
help.”
“National Home Safety Month
presents a great opportunity for
family caregivers to help seniors
de-clutter for their own health
and well-being,” Gest said.
Founded in 1994, the Home Instead Senior Care® network is the
world’s largest provider of non-medical in-home care services for seniors, with more than 875 independently owned and operated franchises in 15 countries and 16 markets, spanning four continents.
Home Instead Senior Care local offices employ 65,000+ CAREGivers who provide more than 40 million hours of client service each
year through activities including companionship, meal preparation,
medication reminders, light housekeeping, errands and shopping.
Home Instead Senior Care founders Paul and Lori Hogan pioneered franchising in the non-medical
senior care industry and are leading advocates for senior issues in America. At Home Instead Senior
Care, it’s relationship before task, while continuing to provide superior quality service that enhances the
lives of seniors everywhere.
In order to identify potential
trouble, the Home Instead Senior
Care network is alerting family
caregivers to watch for the signs
979-268-6880
Brazos Wellness
Page 23
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